ESCONDIDO  The recession may have claimed many victims, but Lexus Escondido appears to be emerging unscathed in grand style.

The dealership, with its gleaming new three-story building at 1205 Auto Park Way near Interstate 15, is scheduled to open next month.

It is being billed as more than a car dealership because of its non-auto-related amenities.

Drivers on I-15 will notice a 27-foot-tall, 48-foot-wide digital mural/television screen. It will show constantly changing still images of nature and art. There will be no car advertisements, General Manager Gene Manganiello said.

In the driveway leading to the building, visitors will pass a rectangular reflective pool filled with well water. Inside stands a three-tiered fountain in front of a glass elevator.

The first floor will be used for new and preowned car displays, a children’s play area, a lounge with two televisions and a library with non-auto-related books.

The third floor will be an upscale restaurant that can seat 150 people, with two outdoor patios.

Manganiello, who also manages the dealership’s sister business, Lexus Carlsbad, said Lexus Escondido will open close to its scheduled date because the owner, Judy Jones-Cone, obtained financing before the economic downturn.

He is optimistic that the Escondido dealership will thrive because Lexus Carlsbad is doing better business this year than last, Manganiello said.

“We are selling fewer new cars, but service is very busy, and used cars are very busy,” he said.

Manganiello expects to sell about 100 new and used cars per month in the first year in Escondido.